4 fires hit 3 cities; 1 dead, 2 hurt

MANILA, Philippines - A man died while two brothers were hurt as four fires broke out in three cities in Metro Manila since Monday night.

The fatality, still unidentified, was found in the bathroom after he saved his mother from their burning shanty on Bocobo street in Malate, Manila, city fire marshal Superintendent Jaime Ramirez said.

Those injured were identified as brothers Marin and Edgar Villar.

The fire, reportedly caused by an unattended candle, broke out at the house of Corazon Layug at past 3 p.m. yesterday and spread to about 10 houses, occupied by 30 families.

Two hours earlier, a blaze gutted the fourth floor of the four-story commercial and residential Choy Building in Binondo, Manila.

Ramirez said the fire started in Room 419, occupied by Jonas Ong. The cause of the fire has yet to be established.

Both fires reached the fifth alarm, which means all available fire trucks in adjacent cities must be sent to the scene. Firefighters on about 50 to 70 fire trucks responded to each incident.

In Pasig City, at least 100 families were left homeless when a fire – believed to have been caused by an unattended candle – razed a residential compound in Barangay San Joaquin at past 3 a.m. yesterday.

The fire reached first alarm and destroyed 50 houses before it was put out at past 6 a.m. Investigators estimated the fire damage at around P500,000.

In Caloocan City, a fire destroyed the Annkimted Enterprise building, which sells electric components, Monday night.

Officials said the blaze started at around 11 p.m. on the second floor of the building, reportedly owned by Tommy Sy. The fire was put out two hours later. No one was hurt in the blaze, which destroyed around P100,000 worth of property. – Aie Balagtas See, Non Alquitran, Rey Galupo